Tax breaks aren't enough for Big Oil
Rep. Craig Johnson's proposed roll back on taxes for Big Oil is ridiculous! This resolves absolutely nothing, and will do little to promote further development in our oil and gas.

Pepper spray poses threat to humans
To the person who felt he was in mortal danger of attack from a 5-month-old puppy, I just wanted to say that my friends' puppy is OK after a trip to the vet. And so are the two people that were walking the puppy, who were also effected by the spray.

Expert: Juneau tsunami unlikely
Since Southeast Alaska sits on a major fault, most residents know it's not "if" a big shaker will happen here but a matter of when. Many of the city's buildings are made to withstand the kind of violent shaking that caused so many deaths in Haiti, but then there's also a tsunami to worry about.

Correction
A story that appeared in Friday's Outdoors section on Merrill Jensen's lecture Thursday, March 11, inaccurately reported there will be beer and pizza at the event. A joke made during the interview was misinterpreted as fact.

Prebula to lead United Way of Southeast Alaska
JUNEAU - Michelle Prebula was elected chair of the United Way of Southeast Alaska. Prebula, cash manager for the Alaska Department of Revenue, has served on the board since 2007. She volunteered each year to serve on the Financial Accountability Review Team and lead the Technology Committee that brought in a $18,500 grant from the Rasmuson Foundation for equipment upgrades for the regional nonprofit.

Thanks for helping Rotary's food drives
On behalf of Juneau-Gastineau, Glacier Valley and Juneau Rotary Clubs and Capital City Rotaract, please accept our heartfelt thanks for your generous contributions during our food drive for the Southeast Alaska Food Bank on Feb. 27. You all are so awesome!

Student Mathletes compete in regional contest
A team of middle school Mathletes from Dzantik'I Heeni Middle School competed among a total of 30 students from three middle schools on Feb. 13 to win the Southeast Regional Mathcounts Competition. The team will now advance to the state competition to be held March 20 in Anchorage.

Recognitions
Army Pfc. Benjamin R. Botts, a 2002 Hoonah High School graduate, graduated from the Special Forces Candidate One-Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.

Thanks for attending Juneau's Business Resource Expo
The Juneau Economic Development Council thanks the approximately 200 business owners, entrepreneurs and community members who attended JEDC's first Juneau Business Resource Expo, held Feb. 3 at Centennial Hall.

Thanks for helping Robbie Burns Night
Stroller White Pipes and Drums and Highland Dancers thank all the individuals and businesses who generously contributed to our Robbie Burns Night celebration, which was held Jan. 23 at Centennial Hall.

Thanks for sponsoring Hot Salsa Cool Ballroom
One more successful celebration was possible thanks to the support and generosity of many Juneau businesses and individuals who sponsored or helped organized this event or contributed to our silent auction. With the wonderful music of Salsa Borealis and The Thunder Mountain Big Band, the Juneau Montessori School has been able to promote social dance across generations as another way to bring families and community together, but most importantly, has continued serving Juneau's young children and families for twenty five years.

Primer for a painting
More than 25 high school students and community volunteers gathered last Sunday to scrub, wipe, tape and paper several hundred abandoned lockers in preparation for primer.

Thanks for contributing to the Pipeline Skate Park open house
On Feb. 27, I had the opportunity to witness the true meaning of the word "community." As a member of the Friends of the Pipeline Skate Park, I was fortunate enough to be a part of organizing the open house that was held to celebrate the reopening of the Pipeline Skate Park.

Potters needed for Empty Bowls fundraiser
JUNEAU - The Glory Hole, Juneau's homeless shelter and soup kitchen, is looking for donations of handmade soup bowls from area-wide potters for its 2010 Empty Bowls fundraiser. Many local potters, both professional and amateur, have already agreed to make and donate bowls, but more are still needed.

KRNN highlights last year's Folk Festival
JUNEAU - As the community gets ready for the Alaska Folk Festival, April 5 to 11, KRNN (102.7 FM) is making its plans as well. As usual, KRNN will broadcast the music from the festival's main stage in Centennial Hall. Another way of getting ready is to hear highlights from last year's festival. Tune in to KRNN the first four Wednesdays in March at 8 p.m. during "Friends & Neighbors" for a series of programs produced by volunteer Shelley Owens:

Thanks for supporting us during our sorrow
Thanks to the following people from Anchorage, Juneau, Kake and Sitka. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the people who called us during our time of sorrow. We also want to thank the Valley Church of God and the ladies who put on a luncheon after the memorial service. Thank you to the people who gave us heartfelt hugs. We also would like to give a very big thank you to those who helped us financially. Thanks to everyone in Kake for taking care of Mom. Thank you to those whose presence we felt and needed.

Quarterly journal seeks prose, poetry from Alaska women
JUNEAU - Alaska Women Speak is a quarterly journal currently soliciting prose and poetry from Alaskan women. The editorial staff is currently reviewing submissions of previously unpublished poetry, fiction, book reviews and essays to include in the summer 2010 issue. Preference for submissions is 1,200 words or less.

American Cancer Society to deliver daffodils Wednesday
JUNEAU - The American Cancer Society, with the assistance of volunteers, will deliver daffodils starting at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday. To assist the deliverers, for those who have pre-ordered, it would be greatly appreciated if you had your money ready to be picked up when the daffodils are delivered.

Thanks for donating to Patrick Johnson's medical expenses
From the family of Patrick Johnson, we want to express our gratitude and appreciation to all who have contributed funds towards Patrick's medical needs and toward his upcoming appointment on March 3 at the Virginia Mason Hospital.

Thanks for supporting our locker project
Thanks, once again, to Charlie and all the guys at Valley Paint Center for their expertise and community focus in supporting our project to resurface/repurpose the lockers at the Yaakoosge Daakahidi Alternative High School.

Local Sons of Norway celebrates 75 years
Combine Norwegian food, skiing, folk dancing, music, wood carving and folk art, and you've got a grand party to mark the 75th anniversary of the local Sons of Norway Svalbard Lodge.

Gearing up for another summer at Echo Ranch
As I sat in a hot crowded back room of the Udder Culture for Echo Ranch Night I was reminded of how much Echo Ranch is about people. Tie that in with the last article about Echo Ranch alumni reconnecting via the Internet, and my thoughts are reaffirmed.

AWARE to honor four Juneau women at distinction dinner
Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies will hold its 14th annual Women of Distinction Gala and Silent Auction at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at Centennial Hall. The event will honor four distinguished women who have made significant contributions to improving the lives of Juneau's women and children.

Frank Palmer
Juneau resident Frank Edward Palmer died Feb. 28, 2010, when he drowned while swimming in the ocean during a family vacation in Kauai, Hawaii. His beloved wife, Patti, adored son Billie, cherished grandson Bill, and dear friends, Bud and Joy Hansen, were with him. He was 69.

Olympic heroes you may have missed
I can tell from the talk inside the pool sauna that I have a slightly different take on the Winter Olympics. For me, the Olympics are all about refueling my global 'hope tank' for humanity. Whether it be the sluggish global economy, gridlock in Washington, the Christmas bomber, rise of the Taliban or the failed climate talks at Copenhagen, the world can be downright depressing at times.

Becoming a surveillance state
Last month, the Sitka Assembly voted to install two new security cameras as part of a grant from the Department of Homeland Security. The Alaska Marine Highway System requested permission from the state Legislature to accept similar funds from Homeland Security for a closed circuit monitoring system aboard the ferry Aurora. Like the rest of the country, Alaska continues to be seduced into becoming a surveillance state.

Bison hunters can use radios, cell phones
FAIRBANKS - Bison hunters in Alaska will be allowed to use cell phones, two-way radios and satellite phones to improve their success rate and help reduce damage to crops in the Delta Junction area.

Tompkins heads for Paralympic Games
Juneau monoskier Joe Tompkins finished up Friday at the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals in Aspen, Colo., and is en route to Vancouver to compete in the downhill event at the Paralympic Games for Team USA.

Heavy oil may rival gas
Alaskans have spent decades looking forward to the prospect of a natural gas pipeline to support the economy as Prudhoe Bay, North America's largest oil field, continues its decline.

Iditarod festivities begin
ANCHORAGE - Hundreds of sled dogs and thousands of fans lined up along Anchorage's Fourth Avenue on Saturday for the ceremonial start of the 1,100-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.